The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-07-02
PARTY VERSUS FACTION.

Lord Bolingbroke said that party
in politics was an unmixed evil.
Edmund Burke, the greatest political
philosopher that ever lived, replied to
Bolingbroke and defended the organi-
cation of political parties on the famous
principle that "when bad men COM
bine, the good must associate" In
language known to all the world, he
condemned desultory and disconnected
action in public life and evoked from
the entire mass of political experience
and wisdom, these maxims: "No men
can act with effect who do not act in
concert no men can act in concert who
do not act with confidence; and no
men can act with confidence who are
not bound together by common opin-
ions, common affections and common
interests" Burke held that party
generous and liberal causes and should
be controlled and actuated by the
highest standard of thought and prin-
ciple.
Ever since the profound dissertations
of this great English statesman, no
combination Of men has been thought
worthy Of the name OF a political party
which does not found its distinctive,
definite and permanent character on
fixed principles and theories of the
government under which it is formed
A party cannot be based ON devotion
to some particular man or set of men.
Such combination is a faction. A
party cannot be based on a scheme to
control offices and public patronage at
all hazards. Such a com bination is a
ring. A party cannot be based on some
peculiar question or temporary agita.
ton, such as prohibition, socialism,
Henry Georgism, etc. Such combina.
tions are, properly speaking, composed
of fanatics and cranks. A party is
something higher and broader.
In the light of these definitions, we
pause to ask if there Is Democratic
party in Louisiana? II so, of whom is
that party composed We have fac
tionists in abundance who fight and
curse each other most exuberantly.
But these men have nothing in view
but the success of their own men. We
have rings-bold and unblushing rings
whose only avowed aim and object is
TO capture and control the offices. But
these men care nothing for party prin.
ciples. Indeed, they have no princi-
pies. Each faction, each ring, would
read.l " combine with radicals, negroes,
Cinnamon, what not, In order to defeat
tho other and gain the coveted spoils
Of power and pay. Again we ask are
these ringsters and factionists Demo-
Gratis? Are they party bretheren:
There was Democratic party in the
State of Louisiana, in the noblest and
highest and strictest sense of the word
"a party founded on principle and
actuated by patriotic motives. Where
is that party now?
BY heavens, it is still alive, not in
personal factions, not in corrupt rings,
but in the hearts of the people! Mani
fold tribulntives have obscured and
weakened party fealty and party
principles. The people in their doubts
and distresses have hesitated. In the
confusion, our political temple has be-
como den OF gamblers, impudent ad-
venturers and irresponsible spectators.
Has not tho time arrived when the
true Democracy can safely and securely
spew out these ringsters and factionists
and place the party escutcheon in
worthier hands? Is there any pressing
crisis in our affairs that makes it dan
gerous for reason, political purity and
party loyalty to assert their sway and
take the helm of state?
Thank God, no such crisis exists. In
the cause Of Party vs. Faction the pco-
pie will render verdict for plaintiff
and consIgn the Nichols and Nc Emery
factions and tho Houston and Fitzpat-
rick rings to one common and impair
tial limbo.
THE PEOPLE MUST RULE.